Best of 2001: Best Petite Pony Rides

"We come to your backyard, frontyard, sidewalk, a park, or wherever your party is," says Cathy at My Little Pony Rides. "We dress the ponies fancy, and they have western saddles with seat belts. All of them are really gentle and used to being around kids, and they've had a lot of training. We hand-lead the ponies for each ride, we jog and play with them, we don't just walk them in circles." A two-pony party costs $165 per hour. For an additional $45, a petting zoo is set up where children can handle and feed baby goats, rabbits, chicks, and ducks. Once a pony or zoo pet reaches adolescence, its career is over, and it's replaced by a younger performer. Contact Cathy for information about adopting over-the-hill animals.